Transcription and Re-Processing Errors

Common Reasons for Transcription Failure

If your audio file transcription fails, there may be several reasons for this. Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue.

1. Upload Failed Error

If you see an upload failed error, it means the file did not reach Mentalyc and is still on your device or browser. Here’s what to do:

  • Resubmit the File: Try uploading the file again.
  • Check Internet Connection: Ensure your internet connection is stable during the upload process.

2. File has No Sound

If you upload a file and see a flat line or no waveforms in the audio preview, it means the file doesn't contain any recorded audio data. Here are some possible reasons:

  • No Recording: The file might be empty, or the recording process might not have captured any sound.
  • Corrupted File: The file itself could be corrupted during recording or saving.

Solution: Verify the file by playing it on your device. If it is indeed empty or corrupted, re-record the audio.

3. Silence or Breaks in the File

Mentalyc's note generation relies on analyzing spoken content. If your file contains extensive silence or breaks, it might prevent successful note creation.

  • Review the Recording: Listen to the audio file and confirm it captured the intended content with minimal silent sections.
  • Edit the Recording: Use audio editing software to remove long pauses or unnecessary silence before uploading to Mentalyc.

Note: Mentalyc will process the entire uploaded file, including any silent sections.

Tips for Better Recordings:

  • Minimize Silent Sections: Edit out long pauses or unnecessary silence before uploading.
  • Focus on Spoken Content: Avoid uploading files with extended periods of background noise or minimal talking.

4. Improper Speaker Selection

It is important that the correct number of audible speakers is selected during the configuration step of the uploading process. A mismatch can result in a failed transcription or wrongly identified speakers, which could break the generation of your note.

  • Listen to the Audio: Ensure all speakers are audible.
  • Review the Configuration: Resubmit the session and make sure to choose the correct number of speakers on the configuration screen.
  • Report the Issue: If the note fails again, report the issue for our team to investigate.

Additional Tip: Ensure your audio file is clear and free of background noise for better transcription accuracy.

Re-processing Errors

If you are trying to upload a file that failed processing earlier, follow these steps:

  • Check Audio Quality: Ensure the audio in the file is not corrupted by listening to it. Pay attention to the audibility of all participants.
  • Check for Prolonged Silence or Noise at the Start: If the recording starts with silence or background noises, it might prevent correct recognition of the participants' speech. Trim the start and try uploading again.
  • Verify Speaker Selection: Ensure the correct number of speakers is selected during the configuration step. If the audio quality is good, re-upload the file and take extra notice of the speakers field.
  • Modify the File: If both options are not giving good results, try editing the original file (e.g., removing background noise using software like Audacity) and uploading the revised version.

Recommended Tool: For trimming, background removal, and overall audio editing, we recommend the use of Audacity, which is a free and simple-to-use tool for both Windows and Mac.

Mobile Uploads

  • Preview Not Available: On mobile devices, the preview feature may not be available. Download the file to listen and verify the content before uploading.

Need further help? Contact our support team if the issue persists.


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Common Reasons for Transcription Failure

If your audio file transcription fails, there may be several reasons for this:

File has no sound

If you upload a file and see a flat line or no waveforms in the audio preview, it means the file doesn't contain any recorded audio data. Here are some possible reasons:

  • No Recording: The file might be empty or the recording process might not have captured any sound.
  • Corrupted File: The file itself could be corrupted during recording or saving.

Audio contains breaks

If you see silent sections represented by gaps in the audio preview (flat lines between waveforms), it means your recording has breaks or silent moments. This might be intentional, depending on the content. However, if these breaks are unwanted, here are some things to consider:

  • Review the Recording: Listen to the audio and determine if the breaks disrupt the flow of information you want to capture.
  • Edit the Recording (Optional): If the breaks are unwanted, consider using editing software to remove them before uploading to Mentalyc.

Note: Mentalyc will process the entire uploaded file, including any silent sections.

Silence in File

Mentalyc's note generation relies on analyzing spoken content. Uploading a file with extensive silence or lacking sufficient audible information might prevent successful note creation. Here's how to troubleshoot:

  • Review the Recording: Listen to the audio file and confirm it captured the intended content with minimal silent sections.
  • Minimum Audible Content: Ensure your recording has at least 5 minutes of clear speaking for optimal processing.

Tips for Better Recordings:

  • Minimize Silent Sections: Edit out long pauses or unnecessary silence before uploading.
  • Focus on Spoken Content: Avoid uploading files with extended periods of background noise or minimal talking.

Improper Speaker Selection (During Setup)

It is important that the correct number of audible speakers is selected during the configuration step of the uploading process. A mismatch between the selected number and the actual audible speakers can result in a failed transcription or in wrongly identified speakers, which could break the generation of your note. Here's what you can do:

  • Listen to the audio: Make sure that all speakers are audible.
  • Review the Configuration: Resubmit the session and make sure to choose the correct number of speakers on the configuration screen.
  • Report the Issue: If the note fails again, you can report the issue for our team to investigate.

Additional Tip: Ensure your audio file is clear and free of background noise for better transcription accuracy.

Re-processing Errors

If you are trying to upload a file that failed processing earlier, here are some steps to follow:

  • Check Audio Quality: Ensure the audio in the file is not corrupted by listening to it. Pay attention that all participants are audible. Fix any issues before retrying.
  • Check for prolonged silence or noise at the start: If the recording starts with silence or background noises, it might prevent the correct recognition of the participants' speech. You can trim it and try uploading again.
  • Verify that the correct number of speakers was selected: It is important to select the correct number of speakers during the configuration step of the process. Transcription might fail when the wrong number is selected. If the audio quality is good, try reuploading the file and take extra notice of the speakers field.
  • Modify the file: If both options are not giving good results, try editing the original file (e.g., background noise removal using software like Audacity) and uploading the revised version.

For trimming, background removal, and overall audio editing, we recommend the use of Audacity, which is a free and simple-to-use tool for both Windows and Mac.

Need further help? Contact our support team if the issue persists.